A normal guy - well, a normal runner - who decided to see if he could run one marathon each weekend for an entire year. 52 weeks, 52 marathons.

For a non-runner, this goal might not even make sense. I mean, who among you that's completed a marathon haven't been asked at least once how long your marathon was?

But for a runner, it's understandable. Once you start running, you think about maybe finishing a 5k, or trying to get your mile time under eight minutes. Once you do that, the next goal might be a 10k, or a six minute mile. Then what? A half marathon? A marathon? An ultra? Winning a race? Qualifying for the trials? Going to the Olympics?

That might be a slippery slope to head down. Not everyone is going to have the speed, strength, perseverance, or desire to be the "best of the best." But everyone has goals, and Rauschenberg's goal of one marathon per week for a year seemed pretty huge ... until he finished.

The cover of "See Dane Run."

I enjoyed reading "See Dane Run" for two reasons:

1. It reads almost like an actual runner's guidebook for 52 different marathons.

2. It reminded me that every accomplished goal starts with a plan, and that plan can't happen until you take the first step.

Rauschenberg, whose book "See Dane Run" chronicles his 52-marathon year, grew up in Titusville, Penn; which will be the start of an upcoming project: running the 1,200 mile route to Titusville, Fla.

While many runners would need a "bigger cause" to commit to racing more than 1,262 miles in one year, Rauschenberg explains that he "merely decided to push myself beyond what I thought my own limits were. I had no idea if I was setting any record or breaking any barriers." He recognized early on that what he was doing wouldn't be easy. He though that if he could run raster than four hours for each marathon, he'd be doing pretty well.

It was a chance meeting with L'Arche - a program that provides services to people in their community, some with developmental or learning disabilities - that prompted Rauschenberg to select them as the beneficiary for his endeavor. Even though the initial impetus of the project came from Rauschenberg just seeing what he could do; throughout the book he mentions the opportunities he had to interact with people from L'Arche and you can't help but see how that relationship provided additional motivation.

Rauschenberg completed his goal, and in the book you can follow along as he experiences the ups and downs that every runner experiences in their own training.

Throughout the year of weekly marathons, he still worked full time, actually more like 50+ hours per week, at a patent licensing firm in Chevy Chase, Maryland. "I missed less work than co-workers who live sedentary lives," he explains.

That explains how he afforded it; but time is usually the limiting factor that causes many runners to give up other things in their life when training for even one marathon. (For me, it was cleaning!) The same was true for Rauschenberg. As a self-described "frugal person," he did have to give up some luxuries, but it's evident throughout the book -- maybe even more so as the year draws to a close -- that friends and family provided support that was genuinely appreciated.

Rauschenberg is on to new challenges and staying busy now that his marathon-a-week year schedule has slowed down ... slightly. Since then, he has "lost a job, created a job with a company that did not work out and then struck out on my own as a speaker and author."

brightroom.comRauschenberg at the Surf City Marathon.

His running hasn't exactly slowed down either. In 2007, he achieved a new personal record in every distance from 400m to 100 miles, showing that you can have a great time training for races of all types. In 2008, he took his experience on the road and shared it with other runners as a pacer for various races around the country and tested his "own personal mettle with ultras." And so far this year, he's set another PR in the marathon and earned 10th place at the 50k National Championships.

He's branching out to the mutli-sport disciplines as well, netting a win in his very first triathlon. He claims, "I might retire undefeated." But I doubt that.

His dry sense of humor surprises you throughout the book, which is fun because just like a good running partner, he keeps things interesting. You might think that reading about 52 marathons would get old, but he's got a good perspective. He's not a whiner, he's not afraid to be a goofball sometimes (like wearing a tiara to support Girls on the Run's Team Tiara), and he describes each race with details only a runner could appreciate.

It might even open your eyes to a race you've never heard of; thanks to "See Dane Run," I'm planning to run the Mt. Rushmore/Crazy Horse race in 2010! Even though Rauschenberg could have written much more about each race, he knew that he "could not go into great detail about each marathon as the book would have been 5,000 pages long." Instead, he manages to describe the course, the race experience, and introduce the reader to a few cool people, into a few short pages for each race.

The book has sold well over 1,000 copies, and you can get your very own autographed copy through Rauschenberg's web site. Get one for yourself, and then check out his speaking calendar to find out where you can find him this summer to get your own dose of inspiration.

"My speeches center around that general premise of refusing to allow the fact that something may be impossible get in your way. As I always say: 'Go ahead and fuss about how something can't be done. I am going to be over here doing it.' "

The other theme that shows up from time to time is that Rauschenberg, like me, thinks that races and runs are a great place for runners to meet like-minded people. I asked him "Did you ever manage to pick up one of the beautiful runner women you mentioned in the book?" and explained to him my dream of setting up a matchmaker race. He answered, "I will gladly headline that race! But no, presently, I am still single."

Rich BurgunderJeremy Shearer and Dane Rauschenberg after the 2009 USA 50k National Championships.

So what's next for Rauschenberg?

Well, he's busy. He's got no shortage of ideas when it comes to another book about running. Says Rauschenberg, "Ideas for my second book come to me daily. I know I have only been involved in the sport for a short period of time but I have experienced more than most have in 10 times the amount of miles."

He's also competing in swimming, ultras, and even appearing as the RoadID featured athlete at the USAT Aquathlon National Championship race in August (swimming and running - no biking).

Remember that 1,200 mile run from Titusville (Penn.) to Titusville (Fla.) that I mentioned? I didn't mention that he's planning to do so in just 30 days.

Go, Dane Go!

If you're interested in sponsoring Dane Rauschenberg for any of his upcoming endeavors, following him from Titusville to Titusville, seeing him speak, inviting him to your business, school or event, or purchasing your own copy of "See Dane Run," visit seedanerun.com.